It all began in 2003. My brother was watching Persib get beaten. Can’t even remember which team did it. What I do remember was Bobotoh going off, calling for Marek Śledzianowski to get sacked. That was my first memory of watching Persib on TV. Twenty-two years later, I watched Kevin Mendoza and co lift the BRI Liga 1 trophy with my very own eyes.

Bobotoh Layar Kaca

After the Polish-party ended and Juan Paez became the saviour, I wasn’t a die-hard Bobotoh yet. I only heard stories, how Kosin was a wall in goal, how Ekene Ikenwa was a beast at Siliwangi but turned into a ghost during away games.

I vaguely remember the Risnandar era: Zaenal Arief, Salim Alaydrus (ran into him a few times at Sambel Hejo!), and how Bobotoh eventually pushed Risnandar out too. Then came Arcan Iurie. That’s when I officially became a “Bobotoh layar kaca” - a Bobotoh who only watch the match on the TV screen. Every day on my way home from elementary school, I’d pass by Persib’s mess on Jalan Bali, hoping to catch a glimpse of the players. Good times.

Iurie’s second season? One to forget (second place, after Gomez’s 2018). We were flying high mid-season. Top of the table. But then suddenly it all fell apart after Nyeck Nyobe got loaned out. Bobotoh started protesting again. Iurie got hospitalized. It was chaos.

Next season, Jaya Hartono took the hot seat as a head coach. That was the first Indonesia Super League season and I didn’t miss a match. I even had the official jersey. Persib ended third, tied on points with Persiwa. Close, but not quite. The season after that? We had Suchao Nuchnum, and that iconic farewell goal from the corner.

The Stadium Chapter Begins

12 May 2010. An announcement came through the school speaker: “Students can attend the match at Siliwangi Stadium free-of-charge, tomorrow.”. 13 May 2010, I still remember that rainy afternoon. That was my first time watching Persib (junior) live. It was the U-21 ISL semifinal, and Persib won on penalties against Persebaya, and went to the final (where they lifted the trophy later).

And then I just can’t stop. Soon after, I watched my first senior team match. Persib vs Persiba. Alone, after private class. Jejen Zaenal Abidin scored a rocket. Pablo Frances fell into the sentelban.

Then came my first match at Jalak Harupat: Persib vs Deltras, 2011 season closer. There was a party, fireworks and all. During this year, I was still in junior high, and for my art class final, we had to draw something meaningful. I drew the Persib logo with two stars (representing being the champions for two times), wishful thinking, since we only had one at the time.

Fast forward to 2014, I wrote an article (in Sundanese) when Persib finally earned that second star. I still remember every moment before, during, and after the match of ISL 2014 final. Even the lead-up matches: Ferdinand vs Romanovs towel drama, Firman Utina’s beautiful free kick to Mitra Kukar (watched that one at Persib Cafe, Sulanjana), and of course, Jufriyanto’s penalty in the final.

Fueled by pride, I went to GBK for the 2016 Jenderal Sudirman Cup final. Persib vs Arema. Sad day, Persib lost.

By 2019, I had a job. Which meant salary. Which meant finally being able to buy original jerseys. And since then, I’ve bought one (or five) every season:

• 2019: Home - Hariono

• 2020: Home - Wander Luiz

• 2021: Home - Marc Klok, Away - Beckham (favorite season jerseys!)

• 2022: Home - Robi Darwis, Away - David da Silva, training kit

• 2023: Home - Ciro, Away - Alberto, Third - Bojan Hodak, GK - Made Wirawan, plus the full drip: official tee, polo, Koil edition jersey, training kit

• 2024: Home - Kuipers, AFC Home - Tyronne

• (Later got 2017 Away - Michael Essien. I had to collect the “golden era”)

Champions Again Persib Bandung

I watched Ciro’s banger vs Bali United in the Liga 1 semifinal at Jalak Harupat. I was praying the final leg would be held in Bandung so I could witness it. But nope, it is Madura. Ever since 2014, I had been waiting to see the trophy lift live. Missed it in 2016 (went to GBK, but Persib lost).

So this year, I went all in. Subscribed to Planet Persib, mainly for ticket queue priority. Watched the last three matches of 2025:

• vs PSS, you can actually spot me on Indosiar for like 0.5 seconds 😛

• vs Barito, wasit (& Kastaneer) goblog! (no further comment)

• vs Persis, the history

I had it all planned out to get the best spot to watch the trophy lift. Subscribed to Planet Persib on purpose, to get the prioritized ticket queue benefit. Bought a VIP ticket, to get best views. Even packed a raincoat so I wouldn't have to move when it rained. This was the moment. But… the trophy ceremony was a mess.

• Some PEJABAT wouldn't stop rambling and didn't want to get soaked by the rain.

• Organizers failed to control the crowd.

• Some Bobotoh couldn't hold back and stormed the pitch before it should.

• And on top of that, the ticketing process was a mess #PercumaPlanet!

Honestly, the trophy moment didn't feel as magical as it should have. the moment itself felt a bit... anticlimactic. But even with all that, seeing Persib lift the trophy with my very own eyes still gave me goose bumps. And now, I get to say: I was there. I witnessed it. I’m beyond happy. The day of 24 May 2025 will be a memory I’ll carry for life. A story I’ll tell my son one day.

Especially fitting, since this is the same year Ciro leaves Persib.

...and the same year I leave Indonesia.

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